$4.2m sale ad pulled down

NT-based security business listing removed after questions raised

A Darwin-based security business which was listed for sale for a whopping $4.25m has pulled down the online ad, hours after queries were made into their decision to sell up.

The advertisement, placed on a commercial real estate website, touted the business – which was not named in the listing – as being a “leading player” and award-winning security business. The ad stated that the company had recently signed a licence for security and patrol services in Western Australia. The listing went on to state the sole director was planning to retire after a decade in the business.

After approaching several local security businesses, the NT News was told the business is understood to be Millennium Security and Alarms Services (MSA).

Efforts to contact the office and the director were hindered, with a 1300 number associated with the business found to have been disconnected for at least four years.

When the NT News visited MSA’s office in Berrimah, the demountable office was fenced and locked and could not be accessed. MSA director Maria Lin spoke to the NT News but would not confirm that the business was behind the $4.25m mystery listing.

She said the business had previously hit the market and that the property agency responsible had not removed an unspecified online listing from two years ago.

This was, she said, despite requests to have it deleted.

However, on March 15 this year SEN News reported that the Territory’s “largest security business” was for sale” – but did not name the business.

Within an hour of Ms Lin’s conversation with the NT News, the $4.25m listing had been wiped from the internet.

The Darwin security firm manager said the multimilliondollar asking price may have been an attempt to “cash in” on pandemic-era successes.

“I knew it was MSA because they’re the only ones that do stuff in Western Australia,” they said.

“During Covid-19, there were a lot of contracts going around and business was really good.

“Profit records from the last few years would look attractive to potential buyers.”

But the manager said it was unlikely MSA would have been able to nab their desired price.

“Not even the big (businesses) could command that (figure), no way,” they said.

“If they could, I would happily sell up now.”